Jordan’s 39 Aren’t Enough at Garden

Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards finished one point shy of 40 in what was probably his final game at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks blew all but one point of a late 15-point lead and came away with a 97-96 victory Sunday.

Recent Knick history is littered with examples of them falling short of their goals whenever Jordan got in their way. There were the five playoff defeats at the hands of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, the famous double-nickel game when Jordan returned from his first retirement in 1995 and scored 55 points, along with many other instances in which Jordan got the best of the Knicks.

Jordan was brilliant in the first half Sunday, scoring 26 points, and quiet for most of the second half until the final minute.

That’s when the Knicks struggled, with the NBA’s leading free-throw shooter, Allan Houston, missing two tries with 18.8 seconds left and Shandon Anderson making only one of two with 5.4 seconds left.

That left Washington trailing, 97-94, but the Knicks didn’t let Jordan go for the tie. Sprewell fouled him right after he received an inbounds pass, forcing Jordan to shoot two free throws.

Jordan made both with 4.2 seconds left and the Knicks were able to run out the clock with quick passing.

Detroit 107, Golden State 105 -- Chauncey Billups made a three-point basket as time expired to cap a 31-point performance at Auburn Hills, Mich., and the Pistons won their second in a row after a seven-game losing streak.

Detroit trailed by a point and got the ball after Gilbert Arenas missed a shot for the Warriors with 5.8 seconds left. Billups made the winning shot over Arenas.

New Jersey 102, New Orleans 92 -- The Nets, who had lost four in a row and seven of eight, got a lift from reserve forward Brian Scalabrine, who tied a season high with 16 points on a variety of drives, mid-range jumpers and the only three-point shot he took at New Orleans.

The Nets ended the Hornets’ eight-game winning streak.

Orlando 111, Denver 98 -- Tracy McGrady scored 43 points -- the ninth time this season he has surpassed 40 -- and the Magic won at Orlando, Fla. He dominated the first half, outscoring the Nuggets by himself, 37-32.

Memphis 119, Toronto 106 -- Pau Gasol scored 32 points and Stromile Swift had 23 points and 13 rebounds at Toronto to help the Grizzlies win their third consecutive game. It’s the first time the Grizzlies have won three in a row since winning four consecutive games Dec. 8-13, 2002.

San Antonio 94, Boston 78 -- The Spurs, despite playing without center David Robinson, who was put on the injured list because of a recurring lower-back injury, won easily at Boston.

Minnesota 105, Phoenix 98 -- Kevin Garnett had his fourth triple-double this season, including the go-ahead baseline jumper with 1:04 to play at Phoenix. Garnett had his triple-double after three quarters, and finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.

Sacramento 107, Indiana 88 -- The Pacers, who lost their fourth in a row -- ninth in a row on the road -- played without forward Ron Artest, who was suspended for one game after accumulating six flagrant foul points, and center Brad Miller, who sat out because of a sore left foot.